mirror he could regard his own reflection as well as those symbols of his
office. While the juxtaposition of Friedrich’s own image with the royal at-
tributes emphasized his achievement of kingship, one might also under-
stand the uanitas of a mirror as an emblematic Fürstenspiegel or and re-
minder of his moral obligations as a ruler and, ultimately, of his own
mortality.* 144

Further examination of van Veen’s book-engravings shows cadres of
frightful skeletons wearing shrouds and carrying scythes as they conduct
various macabre deeds.140 Plate 38, for example, entitled “Cunctos Mors
Una Manet” (Fig. 42), and in German “Dem tode seind wier aile gleich,”
reminds the reader that Death conquers ail men, from the most humble
to the most elevated: